Effect of weed management practices on nutrient depletion by Weeds, growth, yield, economics and quality of winter cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

A field experiment was conducted during winter season of 2001–02 to study the effect of herbicidal weed management practices in irrigated cotton. Different weed management treatments reduced weed density and their dry weight as compared to unweeded control. Post emergence directed spray of paraquat dichloride 0.2 kg/ha (at 30 DAS) with one hand weeding at 60 DAS recorded lowest weed population (28.6/m2). maximum weed control efficiency (81.8%) and highest seed cotton yield of 1487 kg-ha with B:C ratio (2.41). Weeds if not controlled within 60 DAS can deplete the major nutrients to the extent of 87.1, 17.9 and 61.7 kg NPK per hectare. The quality parameters of cotton were not influenced by the different weed control practices.